John arrived at Alpha Kaidan’s office shortly after the administrative staff began their morning duties. He carried a slim folder and the focused expression he saved for matters beyond routine paperwork.
Alpha Kaidan looked up from his desk. "Did Ravencrest respond?"
"Yes, Sir."
John placed the folder in front of him and opened it to the relevant page.
"Their administration confirmed Darius Voss is a registered member of Ravencrest. They also completed the identification request concerning the man in our footage."
Alpha Kaidan leaned back slightly. "They identified him?"
"Yes. Someone familiar with their pack recognised his face and provided his name. Ravencrest checked the information before sending their response."
John turned the page towards him.
Adrian Cross.
Alpha Kaidan read the name once, then looked at John. "Who is he?"
"An ordinary member of Ravencrest’s household staff, Sir. He works in their supply department, coordinating deliveries and keeping records of goods received and distributed within the pack. He has no leadership position."
Alpha Kaidan glanced down at the report again.
"Did Ravencrest confirm that he was the man who visited Serena?"
"They confirmed that the person identified from the image is Adrian Cross. Their response also confirms his membership in Ravencrest."
"And Darius Voss?"
"Still the registered owner of the vehicle. There is nothing in the report suggesting that Voss was the person who entered Blackclaw."
Alpha Kaidan closed the folder halfway.
"Does Ravencrest know why Cross came here?"
"No, Sir. They only responded to the identification request. They haven’t explained his visit, and I haven’t asked them to speculate."
"Good."
Alpha Kaidan opened the folder again and studied the name.
Adrian Cross was not an Alpha, a council member, or anyone whose position would ordinarily draw the attention of another pack’s leadership. He worked in supplies. Yet he had travelled to Blackclaw, asked specifically for Serena, and been admitted after the household approved his visit.
That alone did not establish wrongdoing. It did, however, leave a question Alpha Kaidan could not answer.
Why had a member of Ravencrest come looking for Serena after four years?
"Keep the report with the existing file," he instructed. "I don’t want this treated as a separate matter when it concerns the same visitor."
"Yes, Sir."
"And don’t contact Cross directly. We have his name now. That’s enough for the moment."
John nodded. "Understood."
Alpha Kaidan tapped the folder once, then set it aside. "Was there anything else in Ravencrest’s response?"
"No, Sir. They confirmed his identity and membership. Nothing more."
"Then we have what we asked for."
John waited briefly, perhaps expecting another instruction, but Alpha Kaidan had already returned his attention to the documents on his desk.
"Thank you, John. You can go."
John collected the papers he had brought for other administrative matters and left the office.
Alpha Kaidan remained still for a moment after the door closed.
Adrian Cross.
The name gave him something concrete to attach to the visit, but it explained nothing about the relationship between the man and Serena. He could not tell whether they were old acquaintances, whether they had shared some part of their lives before she disappeared, or whether Cross had come to Blackclaw for an entirely different reason.
He had no intention of inventing answers simply because he wanted them.
For now, the name would remain in the report.
He returned to his work, though the question lingered at the back of his mind.
Naomi arrived home late that afternoon, her work bag hanging from one shoulder, her feet aching with tiredness.
The day had been full. Two appointments had run longer than expected, and Healer Evelyn had asked her to review a revised supply list before leaving the quarters. None of it was unusual, but it had kept Naomi occupied well beyond the time she had intended to finish.
She set her bag on a chair in the sitting room and slipped off her shoes.
Grace appeared from the hallway a moment later.
"Madam, you’re back."
"Yes, Grace. Is there anything I need to attend to before dinner?"
"Nothing urgent. I was just about to check whether you wanted your meal prepared now or later."
"Later, please. I need a little time to rest first."
"Of course."
Grace started to leave, then glanced at the bag Naomi had brought home.
"Was work difficult today?"
Naomi gave a small, weary laugh. "Not difficult exactly. Just busy. It seems everyone remembers they need something at the same time."
"That’s how it always happens. The moment one person finishes, another arrives."
"Especially when the next person has already been waiting."
Grace smiled. "At least they know you’re good at what you do."
Naomi looked at her. "I hope so. I’d rather they remember me for my work than for anything happening in this house."
The words came out more plainly than she had intended. Grace’s smile faded a little, but she did not press her.
Instead, she asked, "Would you like me to bring you some tea?"
"That would be lovely. Thank you."
Grace went to the kitchen, leaving Naomi to settle into the chair by the window.
For a few minutes, Naomi allowed herself to enjoy the quiet. She had spent most of the day answering questions, making decisions, and making sure others received the care they needed. At home, she wanted nothing more complicated than a cup of tea and a little peace.
Grace returned with the cup and placed it on the small table beside her.
"I also put the clothes you asked me to wash away this morning in your wardrobe," she said.
"There was a message from the healer’s quarters, too. They called while you were out."
Naomi straightened. "Did they say what it was about?"
"They said Healer Evelyn wanted you to confirm your availability for the schedule next week. I told them you would call back when you returned."
"Thank you. I’ll call her after I’ve rested."
Grace nodded and began to move away.
"Grace?"
She turned.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet, Madam. I was waiting to finish a few things in the kitchen."
"Please don’t wait for me. I’ll eat later, so go ahead when you’re ready."
"All right, Madam."
Grace left her to her tea. Naomi sipped her tea slowly and looked out the window. The grounds were quiet, with a few household workers moving between the main building and the side entrance. Beyond them, the late-afternoon light stretched across the lawn.
Her life had become a series of small decisions about what she could manage, what she needed to finish, and what she no longer wished to explain to anyone.
Work gave those decisions a purpose. Patients needed her attention, colleagues relied on her judgment, and she held responsibilities she had earned through her own training. She could be tired without feeling diminished. She could make a mistake, correct it, and learn from it without wondering whether someone would use it as proof that she had never deserved her place.
She finished her tea, then took out her phone and called the healer’s quarters.
Healer Evelyn answered after the second ring.
"Naomi, I was about to try you again."
"I heard you called. Grace passed on the message."
"I wanted to confirm next week’s schedule. One of the healers will be away for two days, so I’ll need you to cover the morning appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday."
Naomi considered her existing commitments.
"I can do Tuesday. Wednesday morning may be difficult. Could I take the afternoon appointments instead?"
There was a brief pause as Evelyn checked something on her end.
"That will work. I’ll adjust the schedule and send you the updated copy."
"Thank you. I’ll review it when it comes through."
"Good. And Naomi?"
"Yes?"
"You handled today’s appointments well. The patient you referred for further assessment has been seen, and the recommendation was appropriate."
Naomi felt tension leave her shoulders.
"I’m glad. I wasn’t comfortable deciding without a more detailed assessment."
"You made the right call. Don’t second-guess yourself simply because you had to ask for another opinion."
"I’ll remember that."
"Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you tomorrow."
The call ended, and Naomi set the phone down.
It was a small exchange, nothing extraordinary, but it mattered to her. People recognised her judgment for the work she did, not for the name attached to her marriage.
She opened the updated schedule when it arrived. She checked the changes and confirmed her availability. She put her phone away only after she had finished.
By then, Grace had returned to the sitting room.
"Will you be eating soon, Madam?"
"In a little while. Is the food ready?"
"Yes. I can serve you whenever you’re ready."
"Thank you. Give me ten minutes."
Grace nodded and left again.
Naomi leaned back in her chair, letting the silence settle around her.
She did not know what the coming weeks would bring. The council’s decision had settled the question of who would remain Luna, but it had not repaired her marriage or changed the distance between her and Alpha Kaidan. She had no intention of pretending otherwise.
For now, she had work to do the next morning, a schedule to follow, and a life that continued whether or not her husband had finally begun to understand what he stood to lose.
That was enough for one evening.